Meryl Streep locked in bitter public spat with Chanel designer

Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld has launched a shocking attack on Meryl Streep…and she is NOT happy about it.

An article in Women’s Wear Daily saw Karl accuse the Florence Foster Jenkins star of enlisting another designer to create her look because she wished to receive financial compensation for wearing it.

The eccentric designer originally claimed that after his team had started working on an embroidered gray silk gown, someone from Streep's team allegedly called him and said, ‘Don't continue the dress. We found somebody who will pay us.’

‘A genius actress, but cheapness also, no?’ he added to the magazine.

Meryl’s team immediately denied the allegations, stating: ‘Ms. Streep would NEVER wear anything in exchange for payment.’

Karl then appeared to do a 180 on the matter.

‘Chanel engaged in conversations with Ms. Streep's stylist, on her request, to design a dress for her to wear to the Academy Awards.

‘After an informal conversation, I misunderstood that Ms. Streep may have chosen another designer due to remuneration, which Ms. Streep's team has confirmed is not the case. I regret this controversy and wish Ms. Streep well with her 20th Academy Award nomination,’ he said in a statement released one day after the WWD article was published.

‘In reference to Mr. Lagerfeld's 'statement,' there is no 'controversy': Karl Lagerfeld, a prominent designer, defamed me, my stylist, and the illustrious designer whose dress I chose to wear, in an important industry publication,’ Meryl's statement read.

'That publication printed this defamation, unchecked. Subsequently, the story was picked up globally, and continues, globally, to overwhelm my appearance at the Oscars, on the occasion of my record breaking 20th nomination, and to eclipse this honor in the eyes of the media, my colleagues and the audience. I do not take this lightly, and Mr. Lagerfeld's generic 'statement' of regret for this 'controversy' was not an apology. He lied, they printed the lie, and I am still waiting.’